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Post by Merge on Jul 16, 2023 4:17:50 GMT
I’ve had a mole on my right calf forever. Decades. Today I looked down and realized that part of it is now darker and more raised than the rest. Definitely a sudden change.
This is bad, right?? Hopefully I can get in to a dermatologist before we leave on vacation in a week and a half. Ugh. I’m very fair and have a family history of minor skin cancers, but not melanoma.
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Post by busy on Jul 16, 2023 4:39:43 GMT
It means you should get it checked by your dermatologist. It may or may not be anything to worry about. Try not to jump to conclusions, but don't ignore it either. I hope it's nothing!
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Post by mom on Jul 16, 2023 4:48:57 GMT
Deep breaths. You're going to deal with facts and right now, all you know if it's changed. So schedule an appt first thing Monday and then go from there. No panicking or goggling.
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mamallama
Full Member
Posts: 137
Sept 14, 2018 7:30:33 GMT
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Post by mamallama on Jul 16, 2023 5:07:19 GMT
My mom had melanoma so I have looked up so many images of moles that are of concern. You want to look for jagged edges, asymmetry, and scabby type. I don’t think yours sounds like anything to be concerned about but I would definitely try to get it checked before vacation. Any change warrants a look but I don’t think you need to stress.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,410
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 16, 2023 5:15:02 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor?
Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago!
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Post by revirdsuba99 on Jul 16, 2023 5:53:37 GMT
Call your dermatologist first thing Monday. Explain the situation. Hopefully they will get you in right away. If not, make an appointment ASAP.
With a history you are not a new patient and they get you in.
Around here a new patient appointment takes 6 months.
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Chinagirl828
Drama Llama
Melbourne, Australia
Posts: 6,469
Member is Online
Jun 28, 2014 6:28:53 GMT
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Post by Chinagirl828 on Jul 16, 2023 7:36:58 GMT
It doesn't necessarily mean the worst. I have one on my upper thigh that changed last year but the skin specialist said it's perfectly normal and just a sign of aging. Hopefully you can get it checked out before you go on vacation.
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Post by mollycoddle on Jul 16, 2023 9:24:14 GMT
I would definitely call on Monday and try to get it checked before leaving.
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hannahruth
Pearl Clutcher
Posts: 2,612 
Location: Adelaide, Australia
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Post by hannahruth on Jul 16, 2023 11:23:17 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor? Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago! Not really liking this but feeling for you with the wait. Being a person who has multiple basal cell cancers removed I understand your angst. Hope all is well. |
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 16, 2023 11:31:59 GMT
I had a mole removed that was pre-cancerous, meaning there were changes that may or may not have lead to cancer.
Get in and get it checked out, as you are planning. Good luck!
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Post by mikklynn on Jul 16, 2023 11:33:47 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor? Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago! I'm so sorry to hear this! I can tell you DH's experience with immunotherapy was really positive. He had no side effects at all. I hope everything goes in your DH's way. |
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Post by auntkelly on Jul 16, 2023 12:09:00 GMT
I could have written your post two weeks ago. I noticed that a mole I had had a long time on the side of my right calf had suddenly become raised and enlarged. I called my dermatologist’s office and they got me right in.
The dermatologist told me she thought it might be basal cell cancer and if it was, it would be easily treated. She did a biopsy which revealed it was benign and required no further treatment.
I hope yours turns out to be benign as well.
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Post by littlemama on Jul 16, 2023 12:12:33 GMT
Deep breaths. Call the Dr first thing Monday and see if they can get you in before vacation.
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Post by Spongemom Scrappants on Jul 16, 2023 12:16:30 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor? Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago! Just sending you a hug and hoping you get good news on the MRI. The idea of sending a photo is a good one. My mother had multiple skin cancers even to the point of having to get skin grafting done on her calf one time due to it. I’ve been religious for about 25 years in getting annual full-body skin checks by my dermatologist. Hope the OP’s turns out to be inconsequential. |
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Post by Merge on Jul 16, 2023 12:39:16 GMT
Thanks all. Part of my frustration is that my dermatologist up and moved to California last year, and I have not found another one yet. So I’m starting as a new patient no matter where I go.
I just found a derm on Zocdoc who has an appt available on Thursday, so I booked with him. Even if I don’t stay with him, he’s likely able to reassure me about this mole or do whatever testing is needed.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,410
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 16, 2023 13:53:04 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor? Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago! Not really liking this but feeling for you with the wait. Being a person who has multiple basal cell cancers removed I understand your angst. Hope all is well. Thank you. I had 3 suspicious moles removed when I was 12. Thankfully nothing but damn! Now at 49, I’ve had multiple basal cell carcinomas removed so I watch my moles and skin always. It’s been several years since I’ve had one and last time I was in, my dermatologist told me that I don’t need to come in for yearly skin checks and to just see my primary if I have any concerns. Um, no thank you. I want to have a SKIN doctor look over my skin. DH didn’t have anything suspicious either. He had a swollen armpit that the ER (couldn’t get a regular appt) treated as an infection. Thankfully there was a CT and follow up that got us where we are now. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,410
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 16, 2023 13:54:20 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor? Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago! I'm so sorry to hear this! I can tell you DH's experience with immunotherapy was really positive. He had no side effects at all. I hope everything goes in your DH's way. Thank you! He’s being given Keytruda. I’ve read some success stories but also some scary stuff. I’ve told him no using dr google 😂 |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,410
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 16, 2023 13:55:35 GMT
Call your dermatologist and get it checked asap. Hopefully it’s nothing to worry about. Maybe take a picture and message it to your doctor? Don’t want to scare you but my DH had a mole on his back that changed back in Dec. 2013. They took it off then and did a biopsy… melanoma. Had to go back in and remove more to get a clear margin. June 2023 he was diagnosed with melanoma in his lymph nodes. Same side of his body as the mole that was removed. He is facing surgery and immunotherapy for a year. His surgeon today told him he needs to have a brain MRI. Apparently melanoma likes to go after the brain and lungs. We have a long and scary journey ahead of us and it’s going to be ugly. He thinks he’s got another on his back that needs to be dealt with. He’s got an appt on the 25th. This appt was scheduled 6 weeks ago! Just sending you a hug and hoping you get good news on the MRI. The idea of sending a photo is a good one. My mother had multiple skin cancers even to the point of having to get skin grafting done on her calf one time due to it. I’ve been religious for about 25 years in getting annual full-body skin checks by my dermatologist. Hope the OP’s turns out to be inconsequential. Thank you! I am another who gets regular skin checks. |
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,410
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 16, 2023 13:57:55 GMT
Thanks all. Part of my frustration is that my dermatologist up and moved to California last year, and I have not found another one yet. So I’m starting as a new patient no matter where I go. I just found a derm on Zocdoc who has an appt available on Thursday, so I booked with him. Even if I don’t stay with him, he’s likely able to reassure me about this mole or do whatever testing is needed. I hate finding a new doctor! My derm retired during covid. Had to get a new one in the same practice. Much easier than being a new patient at a practice tho! Glad you were able to be seen this week. Fingers crossed it’s nothing but if it is something, know we are all here for you. The peas are a wealth of knowledge! |
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Post by crazy4scraps on Jul 16, 2023 14:17:29 GMT
Not really liking this but feeling for you with the wait. Being a person who has multiple basal cell cancers removed I understand your angst. Hope all is well. Thank you. I had 3 suspicious moles removed when I was 12. Thankfully nothing but damn! Now at 49, I’ve had multiple basal cell carcinomas removed so I watch my moles and skin always. It’s been several years since I’ve had one and last time I was in, my dermatologist told me that I don’t need to come in for yearly skin checks and to just see my primary if I have any concerns. Um, no thank you. I want to have a SKIN doctor look over my skin. DH didn’t have anything suspicious either. He had a swollen armpit that the ER (couldn’t get a regular appt) treated as an infection. Thankfully there was a CT and follow up that got us where we are now. I’m so sorry to read all this and hope your DH has a good outcome. I’m glad it was discovered before it had spread more. |
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Post by Darcy Collins on Jul 16, 2023 14:34:18 GMT
Hope all goes smoothly on Thursday!
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Post by tallgirl on Jul 16, 2023 15:48:59 GMT
I have a couple of moles that have changed and saw my doctor last week for a different issue. I asked her to take a look at the moles at the same time and she said they are nothing to worry about despite the changes. So it’s not always bad news. Good luck.
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Post by **GypsyGirl** on Jul 16, 2023 16:17:36 GMT
Merge - Check your pm's please.
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Post by Lexica on Jul 16, 2023 16:36:05 GMT
My mom and both of my sisters have has pre cancerous and cancerous things burned off their skin so I am always showing my doctor something on my body that concerns me. So far, everything is normal and I haven’t developed anything alarming. Although I have a couple of weird raised dry patches on one leg and a couple of strange growths in other areas that she determined were just skin tags. It is always good to bring it to their attention as soon as you notice something.
ETA, my doctor gave me a little photo information card showing samples of moles and marks to use as a gauge as to whether to be concerned or not. Ask if your doctor has anything like that to give you.
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seaexplore
Prolific Pea
Posts: 8,410
Apr 25, 2015 23:57:30 GMT
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Post by seaexplore on Jul 16, 2023 20:52:18 GMT
Thank you. I had 3 suspicious moles removed when I was 12. Thankfully nothing but damn! Now at 49, I’ve had multiple basal cell carcinomas removed so I watch my moles and skin always. It’s been several years since I’ve had one and last time I was in, my dermatologist told me that I don’t need to come in for yearly skin checks and to just see my primary if I have any concerns. Um, no thank you. I want to have a SKIN doctor look over my skin. DH didn’t have anything suspicious either. He had a swollen armpit that the ER (couldn’t get a regular appt) treated as an infection. Thankfully there was a CT and follow up that got us where we are now. I’m so sorry to read all this and hope your DH has a good outcome. I’m glad it was discovered before it had spread more. I'm hoping he makes a full recovery- we have a 12 and 7 year old that I need him around to help me parent (and I kinda like him and want him around when we get old) ❤️ |
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Post by LavenderLayoutLady on Jul 17, 2023 11:42:49 GMT
It means you should get it checked by your dermatologist. It may or may not be anything to worry about. Try not to jump to conclusions, but don't ignore it either. I hope it's nothing! Good advice.
I just found a derm on Zocdoc who has an appt available on Thursday, so I booked with him. Even if I don’t stay with him, he’s likely able to reassure me about this mole or do whatever testing is needed. Bravo! So glad you will have peace of mind, or knowledge as to what next steps to take. |
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